New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Navy is all geared up to meet any eventuality in the wake of Cyclone Maha, which has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and likely to make a landfall near Veraval in Gujarat.
The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy is prepared to undertake Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations along Gujarat and North Maharashtra Coast, if required, an official statement said.
As many as four warships of the Western Naval Command have been loaded with HADR relief materials like food packets, water, medical supplies and other essential commodities.
Naval units of the Gujarat Naval Area are also prepared with emergency response teams equipped with underwater diving equipment and inflatable boats.
Besides, naval aircraft and helicopters have also been put on standby to undertake any survey and air rescue operations. Naval authorities in Gujarat are in constant liaison with civil authorities to ensure seamless coordination, the statement said.
According to IMD, cyclone “Maha” is likely to hit Gujarat and Maharashtra in the next 48 hours. “Maha” is a “very severe” cyclonic storm, formed in the Arabian Sea during the middle of last week.
The cyclone, currently over east central Arabian Sea is moving west and north westwards and is likely to intensify further till November 5.
It will thereafter weaken and cross the Gujarat and Maharashtra coast by midnight of November 6th and early morning of November 7th, 2019. Heavy rainfall, accompanied by winds reaching upto 90 to 100 kmph and tidal waves up to 1.5meter, are expected.
